Chapter 37 The Homecoming
The Homecoming
Ava hefted up the box of her belongings that she’d gathered from her office. She’d done enough packing to last a lifetime over the summer, but this time felt different. This time, she was excited to clear her space and move on.
She balanced the box on her hip and walked to her manager’s office next door. Ava knocked on the ajar door and walked into Jacqueline’s office.
Jacqueline paused her typing at Ava’s entry. She pushed the glasses on the tip of her nose into her thick brown hair, which was already messy from how much she’d been running her hands through it that day. A tiny sliver of guilt pricked Ava. She was leaving her boss in a bind.
“Is that everything, then?”
Ava placed the box down on a chair. “That’s everything,” Ava said.
Jacqueline lifted a hand to run it through her hair, knocking her glasses off. They clattered on her messy desk. “And you’re sure this is what you want to do?”
“Positive,” Ava said. She approached Jacqueline’s desk. “Chris is an excellent replacement. He’s been filling in for my role all summer with no hiccups.”
Jacqueline heaved a sigh like Ava leaving was the biggest inconvenience in the world, but her green eyes twinkled with amusement, letting her know it was more for show. “Chris is fine, but he’s not you. He’s too afraid to push back, unlike you.”
“He’ll learn. Besides, we planned for this when I applied for the board position. It’s not like my leaving is coming out of nowhere.”
Jacqueline waved her off. “I know, I know.”
Jacqueline stood from the desk and checked her watch. “I’ll walk you out.” She picked up Ava’s box of things.
“I can carry it,” Ava protested.
“But now you don’t have to. Come on.”
Ava followed behind Jacqueline.
As Ava and Jacqueline entered the lobby, a voice stopped them.
“Ava, hope you’re not leaving because of me. I’m sure Jacqueline would give you your job back; you quit prematurely.”
Ava turned around to face Austin Whitlock. The same guy she’d interned with all those years ago, and who she was up against for the board member position.
“Austin. I’m not leaving because of you, but thank you for the concern,” she said with a fake smile.
“Guess you didn’t have what it takes to be a board member. Not everyone’s cut out for the task,” he continued.
Ava arched an eyebrow at him, fighting to contain her amusement. “They didn’t tell you?”
Austin’s cocky smirk dropped slightly. “Tell me what?”
Ava considered dragging out the suspense, but she was ready to go. “You only got the offer because I declined it. They offered the position to me first.”
Austin’s face turned into a sneer. “That’s unlikely. No one would turn down a board position, not unless they were stupid. I didn’t take you for being stupid.”
Ava shrugged. She had better places to be. “Don’t know what to tell you. Ask your dad himself. Best of luck to you, Austin.”
Ava turned on her heel, leaving him staring after her in disbelief.
Jacqueline leaned close to her as they approached the doors. “I can’t believe you’re sticking us with that prick,” she said in a loud whisper.
Ava laughed, hoping Austin overheard, but also not caring either way. “You’re going to be fine. But if you ever need a weekend away, I’ll have a room waiting for you.”
Jacqueline harrumphed, and they exited the hotel, where Owen waited outside. He took the box from Jacqueline with an easy smile.
Ava gave her former boss a hug goodbye, the significance of her decision settling over her. There was no turning back now. They headed for the car Ava barely had driven since living in New York but also had never wanted to get rid of just in case.
Summer and Avery sat in the backseat with her bags and a haul of snacks for their road trip.
“Ready?” Owen asked.
Ava snuck a last glance at the grandiose building she spent the last decade of her life working and didn’t feel a shred of regret. She turned back to Owen and smiled.
“I’m ready. Take me home.”